Q. How many have been dismissed?
A. Twenty thousand have been discharged and about thirty thousand remain.
Q. From what place do most of them come?
A. The Anhui men are the most numerous. There are also some from Hunan, but only a few thousand. Those of Anhui preponderate.
Q. Were they disbanded without trouble?
A. Without trouble.
Q. Did you come all the way in peace?
A. It was quiet all along the way. At first I feared there might be trouble from wandering braves, but I arrived without any trouble.
Q. How many years have you been absent from the capital?
A. Your servant has been absent from the capital seventeen years.
Q. How many years have you led soldiers?
A. At first my only task was to lead soldiers. For the last two years, receiving the Emperor's grace, I have been an official in Kiangnan.
Q. You were formerly in the Board of Rites?
A. Your servant formerly had a position in the Board of Rites.
Q. How many years were you in the Board?
A. Four years. In the twenty-ninth year of Taokwang I entered on the office of vice president of the Board of Rites and in the second year of Hsienfung I left the capital.
Q. Is Tsêng Kuo-ch'üan your full brother?
A. He is your servant's full brother.
Q. How many brothers are there of you?
A. Your servants are five brothers. Two of them died in the camp. We have received special grace from the Emperor. [Kotows.]
Q. Since you were formerly in Peking you must naturally be acquainted with the affairs of Chihli.
A. Of the affairs of Chihli you servant does, indeed, know a little.
Q. Chihli is utterly empty [of soldiers]. You will have to give very much care to drilling soldiers.
